Transforming waste into opportunity. (Image source: City of Johannesburg)

Johannesburg is accelerating its journey towards a cleaner, greener future

Following the signing of a landmark agreement on 8 October 2025, the City has secured a substantial grant of €27.5 million (approx. US$31.94mn) from Invest International Public Programmes, a leading Dutch development finance institution.

This funding marks a new chapter in the City’s commitment to sustainable waste management through the Alternative Waste Treatment Technology (AWTT) Project — a transformative initiative set to revolutionise waste handling in Johannesburg.

The signing ceremony, held in Sandton alongside the G20 Trade Ministerial, was attended by Aukje de Vries, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, along with representatives from Infrastructure South Africa (ISA). Their collaboration reflects strong international confidence in Johannesburg’s sustainability vision.

The executive mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero, expressed, “I extend our deepest gratitude to Invest International and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the generous grant. This is far more than funding; it is a powerful endorsement of our vision for a greener Johannesburg and a tangible commitment to South Africa's Just Energy Transition."

Looking ahead, the AWTT Project will form a cornerstone of the City’s Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP), aligning with the National Waste Management Strategy and South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) objectives. Its focus is to reduce landfill reliance, promote recycling and reuse, and harness renewable energy from waste.

“Beyond environmental benefits, the project will bring about meaningful social and economic transformation. It will uplift waste picker communities, create green jobs, promote gender inclusion, and stimulate local innovation through circular economy solutions," said Morero.

With the backing of Invest International, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Infrastructure South Africa, this partnership underscores Johannesburg’s leadership in sustainable urban development. The City is charting a bold path toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive future, proving that Johannesburg is transforming waste into opportunity.

Renewables overtake global coal

Independent power producer Scatec has welcomed the findings of a recent Ember report, confirming that renewable energy sources generated more electricity than coal globally for the first half of 2025

“The global power sector has crossed a critical line,” said Terje Pilskog, CEO of Scatec. “This trend validates the long-term view Scatec has maintained: that renewable energy is not simply an environmental choice, but the most competitive and vital source for new electricity generation globally. The acceleration of green energy deployment, particularly in high-growth emerging markets such as China and India, demonstrates a global recognition of the urgency to decarbonise.”

Pilskog added, “Scatec remains committed to delivering large-scale, reliable, and affordable solar, wind, and battery storage projects, thereby actively contributing to the curb of high-emission coal generation and ensuring energy security for the markets we serve.”

IMPOWER highlights regional opportunities

IMPOWER Solar & Storage has celebrated a major development in the global energy sector.

According to the report, renewables produced 5,072 TWh in the first half of 2025, surpassing coal’s 4,896 TWh. Rapid solar and wind growth in China and India drove this increase. Analysts are calling it “a crucial turning point” in the global energy transition.

For South Africa and the wider African market, this milestone emphasises both the urgency and the opportunity to accelerate clean energy adoption.

IMPOWER said the findings reinforce its strategy of developing resilient, cost-effective systems that enable businesses and communities to thrive both on and off grid. Earlier this year, the company highlighted the importance of policy clarity and grid flexibility to unlock the full potential of renewables in the region.

Matthew Cruise, business development executive at IMPOWER, described the report as, “a positive signal for investors and innovators alike. More than a global headline, it’s a roadmap for South Africa. Every kilowatt-hour we generate from the sun reduces reliance on volatile fossil fuels and strengthens energy security for businesses and households.”

As IMPOWER expands its solar-plus-storage offerings across commercial and industrial sectors, the company views this global shift as proof that the future is already here.

“The future is decentralised, digital, and decarbonised,” Cruise added, urging policymakers to remove barriers that slow adoption.

Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership

A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reveals that women make up 32% of full-time employees in the renewables sector, a figure that has remained unchanged since the agency’s first gender analysis in 2019.

Although the proportion is higher than in other energy industries, the findings show that meaningful progress towards gender equality in the sector has stalled.

The second edition of Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective offers IRENA’s most comprehensive assessment yet of women’s participation in the renewable energy workforce and the barriers they continue to face.

The report warns that without stronger action to improve representation, the global energy transition risks being neither fair nor sustainable, potentially leading to labour shortages and limited diversity in leadership and decision-making.

Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership, holding only 19% of such positions. They make up 45% of administrative roles but just 28% of jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Representation is lowest at 22% in technical trades such as installation, machinery operation, and electrical work, which require vocational or technical training.

Gender disparity

“Advancing gender equality in the renewable energy sector depends on robust data, targeted policy interventions and active collaboration of all stakeholders. Our analysis is the only of its kind to fill this knowledge gap. Unfortunately, despite performing better than in fossil fuel industries, little progress has been made. The sector still has a lot of work to do. To realise the energy transition’s full potential, women must be recognised as equal partners and leaders in shaping the renewables-based future,” said IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera.

Systemic barriers continue to hinder women’s advancement at every career stage, from gender bias and cultural stereotypes to the challenge of balancing professional and caregiving responsibilities. Discriminatory practices and glass ceilings further limit their access to leadership roles.

In non-governmental organisations focused on off-grid and community-based projects, women represent around 35% of employees, suggesting significant potential for expanding their leadership and influence in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of universal energy access.

The study also identifies disparities between organisational types: women make up only 25% of the workforce in private enterprises compared with 48% in NGOs and 37% in government or non-commercial institutions.

The report calls for coordinated action across all levels. Governments should enforce non-discrimination laws, ensure equal pay, and integrate gender equality into climate and energy policies. Employers are urged to adopt flexible work arrangements, transparent recruitment, mentorship programmes, and safe workplaces. Educational institutions, trade unions, and civil society must also help dismantle stereotypes, expand opportunities, and promote accountability.

SOLA Group Springbok Solar Power Project, Free State. (Image source: SOLA Group)

The SOLA Group has announced the early and successful commercial operations date (COD) for the Springbok Solar Power Project, Africa’s first multi-buyer, flexible energy wheeling facility and the company’s largest project to date

Delivered ahead of schedule, the 195MW solar photovoltaic (PV) facility marks a breakthrough for large-scale renewable energy procurement on the continent. The project introduces a pioneering flexible multi-buyer platform model for large-scale solar PV in the region and is currently the only operational facility of its kind in Africa. It represents a major step forward in modernising South Africa’s grid infrastructure and sets a precedent for future developments, showcasing how innovative approaches can drive grid modernisation.

This is the fourth large-scale private wheeling project brought to commercial operation by SOLA Group, increasing its total operational portfolio to 464 MWp, the largest for private power contracts in South Africa.

Key highlights:

The facility delivers both long-term maximum savings and rolling PPAs with flexible contracting, offering a new market model that enables shorter-term, scalable agreements alongside longer-term contracts. The project is a first of its kind, allowing multiple corporates to procure power from a single plant under flexible contract lengths, making it Africa’s first multi-buyer operational project with short-term contract options. It also introduces the country’s first virtual wheeling power purchase agreement (PPA).

Amazon acted as the anchor buyer, with its long-term commitment playing a key role in unlocking financing and driving the project forward. Additional buyers include Sibanye-Stillwater, Sasol, Afrimat, Redefine, Old Mutual, and Vodacom.

As one of Africa’s first multi-buyer virtual wheeling solar PV projects, Springbok achieved COD ahead of schedule, reinforcing SOLA Group’s reputation for delivering projects on time and within budget. The facility has generated R375 million (approx. US$ 20.3mn) in local community investment and created 500 employment opportunities, while offsetting 399,000 tonnes of CO₂, underlining its role in expanding renewable capacity and supporting South Africa’s energy transition.

Designed specifically for multiple private corporate clients, this utility-scale facility is a milestone for the multi-buyer model in Africa’s energy landscape. Unlike traditional single-offtaker wheeling plants, the Springbok Solar Power Project combines long-term anchor contracts (with Amazon and Sibanye-Stillwater) and shorter-term agreements with seven additional companies. This innovative structure enhances flexibility and broadens access to renewable energy for diverse organisations across industries, fostering a resilient and inclusive energy ecosystem.

Other participants include Rio Tinto, Redefine, Old Mutual, Vodacom, Sasol, Afrimat, and BRM Brands, representing a wide range of sectors—from mining and telecoms to finance.

The project also delivers South Africa’s first virtual wheeling PPA with Vodacom, marking a key innovation for companies on Eskom’s low-voltage networks and within municipal areas to access renewable power. This enables buyers who previously lacked access to affordable bulk clean energy to benefit, even after maximising on-site generation capacity. Additionally, the project plans to supply power to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) by October 2025, contributing to energy supply across neighbouring countries facing power deficits.

At full capacity, the Springbok Solar Power Project will generate ~430 GWh annually, powering 150,000 homes and offsetting ~399,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year, equivalent to planting 6.5 million trees. The project’s sustainability efforts are complemented by community initiatives worth over R375 million (approx. US$20.3mn), with 100% of workers hired locally and 49% classified as youth.

SOLA’s community programmes are focused on lasting social impact. The Sports Against Crime initiative offers structured, positive activities for local youth, while the sewing and fashion programme in Matjhabeng Municipality equips unemployed learners with vocational skills. In 2024, 47 participants graduated with recognised qualifications and received sewing machines to help them launch businesses or gain employment in the textile industry. SOLA will continue supporting local initiatives throughout the operational phase.

The launch of the Springbok Solar Power Project coincides with the global surge in renewable energy adoption—renewables now account for around 32–36% of global electricity generation, up from 29.9% in 2023. Combining scale, innovation, and community investment, Springbok exemplifies how South African companies can meet decarbonisation targets while reinforcing energy security.

Constructed through a joint venture between SOLA Group and WHBO, with funding from RMB, Investec, ABSA, Revego, and Ubuzwe, the project is a strategic success story that strengthens the wheeling model for future large-scale renewable projects and advances virtual wheeling and energy market reforms.

SOLA Group plans to build on this momentum with new large-scale utility projects set to begin in November 2026, incorporating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). When integrated with solar power, these systems will provide a cost-effective and reliable alternative to wind energy, ensuring steady power supply and continued innovation in South Africa’s renewable energy landscape.